NASHVILLE IQ - A Professional Service of Countryforever.com
Written by Neil Haislop
Dec 18, 2007 at 12:06 AM
CHECKIN' IN WITH THE TOP TEN
TAYLOR SWIFT'S "OUR SONG" is The Song at #1 this week ...as
JOSH TURNER'S "FIRECRACKER holds the #2 spot while...
GEORGE STRAIT'S "HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM COWGIRLS" edges up one to #3...and
MONTGOMERY GENTRY'S "What Do Ya Think ABout That,"slips into 4th place...as
SUGARLAND cracks the Top 5 at #5 with "Stay."
NEW MOVIE ROLE CAPS ANOTHER GREAT YEAR FOR McGRAW
Tim McGraw has had another banner year and adds an exclamatioin point by signing on to act in the new Reese Witherspoon/Vince Vaughn movie “Four Christmases.” Also attached to the movie are Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau and Dwight Yoakam. McGraw is slated to play one of Vaughn’s siblings. LOOK BACK AT TIM'S BIG YEAR McGraw was named one of the top 10 earning entertainers in all genres by Forbes earlier this year based upon his successful “Soul 2 Soul II” tour with Faith Hill, his lead role in “Flicka”, record sales, music publishing and songwriting. McGraw scored his first award as a songwriter this year for his moving “If You’re Reading This” song which he debuted on the ACM Awards. “It’s really been a year for multiple events,” said manager Scott Siman. “Certainly the performance on the ACM Awards was one of those events, but also the duet with Tony Bennett on “Cold, Cold Heart,” “I Need You” with Faith, and the event single with Tracy and Kenny “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” were some of the highlights.” McGraw’s current single “Suspicions” is on fire at country radio where it’s top 25 after only 3 weeks. He recently scored 4 Grammy nominations and is busy in Nashville working on plans for his first solo tour in three years.
CHESNEY PUTS ON PRODUCER HAT Kenny Chesney garnered his break as a songwriter and remains devoted to the craft of lyric and melody – and the love of the creative aspect of music. It's no surprise then that Kenny wanted to put his producer's hant to co-produce Moment of Forever from the legendary Willie Nelson and Long Monday by Chesney bandmate and Patty Loveless/Ricky Skaggs veteran Tim Hensley. Both albums arrive in stores on Jan. 29. “There are certain kinds of songs I can’t really record with the sort of career I have,” explains the three-time and current Country Music Association and triple and reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t love them – or recognize how great they are. I love bluegrass… I love great songwriters like Bob Dylan and Guy Clark and Randy Newman, as well as Dave Mathews… so when these opportunities presented themselves, I was honored to be able get in the studio and help bring these two albums to life.”
Moment of Forever was culled in Santa Monica, California and was recorded in Franklin, Tennessee. Co-produced with Chesney’s own longtime co-producer Buddy Cannon, it is a deeply pensive work that includes the Kris Kristofferson title track, a few Nelson originals including the searing “Gotta Get Over You Again,” Randy Newman’s “Louisiana” and Dave Matthews’ “Grave Digger.”
“To sit with Willie Nelson and play songs, to talk about what works and what doesn’t – and why, you really get a very deep sense of how songs come together,” the man who played to over a million fans for the 6th year in a row says. “I grew up on his records, amazed at how vast what he could sing might be… but also, realizing what those songs had in common was how true they were to who he was.”
SPEAKING OF KENNY KENNY'S LATEST NUMBER ONE SONG "Never Wanted Nothing More" will celebrated at at #1 party tomorrow at ASCAP in Nashville. The song was written by Chris Stapleton.
AT ASCAP TODAY... A celebration of George Strait's "Give It Away" for its big Song of the Year honors at ACM and CMA Awards this year. Writer Buddy Cannon will be there, George Strait will not.
TAYLOR SWIFT NAMED BEST NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR BY ITUNES, HAS ITUNES’ #1 SELLING COUNTRY SONG OF 2007 WEEKLY CD SALES CURRENTLY TOPPING 98,000 UNITS, SINGLE AT #1 ON COUNTRY RADIO CHARTS FOR 2ND CONSECUTIVE WEEK Taylor Swift, the first bonafide country star of the MySpace generation, reached another digital milestone this week when her hit single “Teardrops On My Guitar” was lauded by iTunes as their #1 selling country song for 2007. In addition, iTunes has released their Best of 2007 Editor’s Choice lists, naming Taylor as Best New Artist. Taylor, who celebrated her 18th birthday just last week, is consistently the most popular country artist on MySpace, averaging 100,000 music streams a day on the site. Her total MySpace streams have surpassed 31 million.
This week also marked Taylor’s biggest sales week to date at retail, with fans showing their support for Taylor at the cash registers by snapping up an incredible 98,820 copies of her debut CD this week alone. This week Taylor Swift ranks at # 4 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and at # 9 on Billboard’s all-genre Top 200 Albums chart, an incredible feat considering that her CD is now 59 weeks old. Rounding out country’s Top 5 albums are the new releases from The Eagles (6 weeks old), Carrie Underwood (7 weeks old), Garth Brooks (5 weeks old), and Rascal Flatts (12 weeks old.)
TRACE ADKINS ON HANNITY & COLMES Country music star and now author, Trace Adkins will appear on the FOX News program, "Hannity & Colmes" on Tuesday, January 1 (9pm ET). Adkins will talk about his recently released book, A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck.
BLAKE SHELTON BEHIND THE SCENES AT CLASH OF CHOIRS Blake Shelton will be posting a behind-the-scenes blog each night for cmt.com and also a behind-the-scenes video blog for nbc.com/clashofthechoirs --- check it out.
LONESTAR PERFORM ALONG WITH AARON NEVILLE & TAKE 6 ON Lonestar will join Aaron Neville and gospel/pop group Take 6 for a special program, taped at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, as a musical love letter to our men and women in the Armed Forces. The special will be hosted by Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase. Holiday Notes From Home will air a special one-hour version on Great American Country (GAC-TV) on the following dates and times:Tuesday, 12/18 at 9pm Eastern Wednesday, 12/19 at 1 am Eastern, 1pm Eastern Monday, 12/24 at 10 pm Eastern Tuesday, 12/25 at 2am Eastern, 11am Eastern
Holiday Notes From Home will air in full length on Armed Forces Television on Christmas Day, December 25th.
CARROLL BILLBOARD'S TOP NEW COUNTRY ARTIST OF YEAR Jason Michael Carroll will celebrate the holidays as country’s #1 new artist of 2007, as Billboard, R&R, and SoundScan year-end tallies reflect the results of an incredible 12 months of touring, media, back-to-back Top 5 singles, and the release of Carroll’s chart-topping debut album, Waitin’ in the Country. The year-end issue of Billboard toasts the North Carolina native as the Top New Country Artist of 2007 (based on combined sales and airplay), while Carroll also becomes the #1 new country male to make R&R’s 2007 airplay rankings of the 20 Top Country Artists.
Carroll recorded two of R&R’s Top 50 most-played country songs of 2007, with “Alyssa Lies” and “Livin’ Our Love Song,” both of which were written or co-written by Carroll and both of which became Top 5 country airplay singles.
On the sales front, Carroll’s album, Waitin’ in the Country, released in February and entered the country album sales chart at #1 in its first week of release. According to SoundScan sales to date, Waitin’ in the Country is now the best-selling debut country album released this year.
In addition, both “Alyssa Lies” and “Livin’ Our Love Song” have been digital sales powerhouses. “Alyssa Lies” entered Billboard’s Digital Songs chart with the highest country new artist debut in chart history, while “Livin’ Our Love Song” has amassed ringtone and download sales of nearly 400,000.
STEPHEN COCHRAN RINGS IN THE NEW YEAR WITH PATRIOTISM AND A BIG FOX TV PERFORMANCE Former Marine Stephen Cochran spent 2007 riding high, touring relentlessly in support of his self-titled debut album, and stopping to support and bring attention to his fellow veterans at every opportunity. Cochran is a decorated veteran of campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he made it back home to reignite the country music career that he interrupted to serve his country. As his amazing year comes to a close, Cochran will once again pause to pay tribute to a fellow veteran before finishing up 2007 in Times Square, performing on the Fox News Channel New Year's Eve special.
Cochran's been on the road lately in support of his latest single, "Everything We Knew," and he'll take an end-of-the-year detour direct to New York City to perform on the Fox News Channel New Year's Eve special. Joining hosts Megyn Kelly and Bill Hemmer along with an A-list of stars, Cochran Says, "Joining the Fox News Channel for all of the excitement in Times Square on New Year's Eve is a dream come true. It really has been an amazing year for me, and I can't wait to rock in the New Year New York City-style!"
LANCE MILLER TO LEAVE WARNER BROTHERS Word out of Nashville is that Lance Miller has asked for his release from Warner Brothers Nashville division. "I realize how troubled they are as a record company and they will have many careers to deal with - but I just have one," said Miller, who played the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. "I am grateful for the opportunity but I need to move on and build a relationship with radio and the fans." Miller was a support act on the Soul 2 Soul II Tour this year and has been in the studio working with the Warren Brothers.
COVINGTON AND GRACIN NEW YEAR'S AUDIO GREETINGS Lyric Street Records offers some New Year's greetings for the upcoming New Year's day. (Greetings from Bucky Covington and Josh Gracin are attached).
EMERSON DRIVE NOMINATED FOR GAC'S READER'S CHOICE TOP 50 Emerson Drive Nominated for Reader's Choice Award, Co-host GAC Top 50. PLUS, Emerson Drive have been nominated for a Campus Activities Magazine Reader’s Choice Award in the category of “Best Major Performance.” The band performed at the National Association for Campus Activities’ (NACA) national convention in 2006 and 2007. As a result, the college circuit has played a major part of their touring schedule for the past few years.
“We had a blast playing the college circuit over the past several years and we are honored to be recognized with a nomination from the students,” says Brad Mates, lead vocalist.
CHUCK WICKS CELEBRATES FIRST TOP 15 WITH DEBUT SINGLE “STEALING CINDERELLA” STILL CLIMBING Chuck Wicks celebrates the fastest rising single from a debut artist in 2007 with his Top 15 single “Stealing Cinderella,” which continues to climb the charts. The song, which he co-wrote with Rivers Rutherford and George Teren, tells the touching story of a young man who is asking for his girlfriend’s hand in marriage. Wicks will release his debut album, Startin’ Now, on January 22, 2008.
“It is overwhelming and very humbling how country radio has embraced this single,” shares Chuck Wicks. “As a new artist, to achieve a Top 15 single is a huge accomplishment that I am so proud of, especially on a song that I co-wrote.”
QUESTION OF THE DAY
WHAT YEAR DID JOE NICHOLS SCORE HIS FIRST #1 HIT?
Joe Nichols charted "Brokenheartsville" in November of 2002, and it went on to peak at #1, his first chart topper in early '03.
TALK ROUND THE ROW
JOE NICHOLS SIGNS ON NEW MANAGEMENT Joe Nichols had been going through a lot of positive changes in the latter part of this year, a new marriage, cleaning up his act a bit in rehab and looking to make changes in his professional life as well. That includes the announcement yesterday that Joe has signed for exclusive management representation with Sanctuary Artist Management, as announced today by company CEO Carl Stubner. With offices in Los Angeles, New York, London and now Nashville, the company also represents artists including ZZ Top, Fleetwood Mac, Tommy Lee, Elton John, the Who and James Blunt.
"We are honored to work with such a talented artist as Joe Nichols," Stubner said. "He is quite possibly one of the most gifted vocalists I have come across. He can kill you with a turn of the phrase, or have the entire room dancing with his often quite humorous take on life."
In late August of this year, Nichols released one of the most critically acclaimed albums of his career with Real Things. While Entertainment Weekly proclaimed it "in a league with the masters," the New York Times suggested "wouldn't it be a satisfying surprise if it turned out that this low-key singer had made the year's Best Country Album." Nichols' label, Universal Records South, will release the CD's second single, titled "It Ain't No Crime," in January 2008.
Sanctuary opened its Nashville doors in September 2007 when CEO Stubner and manager Nick Lawson relocated to the city to establish the company's Nashville division. They can be reached at 615 733 1610 or
and
J.D. HAAS ENTERTAINMENT NAMED OFFICIAL PRODUCER OF THE ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS “DREAM TRIP OF A LIFETIME” RADIO TRIP PACKAGES The Academy of Country Music and J.D. Haas Entertainment have once again joined forces to produce the official “Dream Trip of a Lifetime” radio trip packages in conjunction with the 43rd ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS to be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
The package is an extravagant 3 day, 2 night hotel stay in Las Vegas which includes pairs of tickets to the awards show, the post-awards All-Star Jam and the pre-awards New Artist Show/Party For A Cause. The package also includes attendance at a private brunch with performances in addition to meeting and greeting country artists, along with on-site transportation, winner’s kit, and an extensive staff dedicated to the needs of winners.
PENNY LAZO DEPARTS BIG MACHINE RECORDS Penny Lazo has decided to leave her position as National Director of Sales & Marketing at Big Machine Records, effective immediately, in order to pursue new interests in management and marketing. During her tenure, Lazo, who came to Big Machine from Universal Music Group Distribution in February 2006, has been instrumental in the sales and marketing of artists including Taylor Swift, Trisha Yearwood, Danielle Peck, Jack Ingram, and Sunny Sweeney. Penny Lazo can be reached at 469-855-0986 or
JOINT VENTURE 633 Music Group’s Rising Country Duo Ennis and Blues Phenom Ben Robinson Announce Joint Venture "Clint Simpson and Sound Kitchen Productions is the perfect fit for 633, states 633 partner Monte Willis, Clint is only interested in real artists and entertainers and that is evidenced in his present roster, which includes Mountain Heart and Cadillac Sky. He, like we do, feels that it is the job of independents to sign artists that are doing something very special, not just another singer singing another song. Now more than ever, what this industry needs is fresh talent in the booking agency area, we have a few great companies like Buddy Lee and William Morris but it is a very short list. What makes it even tougher is the big agencies have to focus on those acts with hit records or a bankable sellable history, newer artists are left out in the cold. They end having to work at the Waffle House instead of being out on the road honing there craft. it is time for a new infusion of people like Clint". "Ben Robinson is a monster entertainer, and few artists have the power to move an audience like Ennis can, the calls are already coming in, it is going to be a fun ride"! Clint Simpson, Sound Kitchen Productions.
MONDAY MEMO FROM BULLSEYE RESEARCH December 17, 2007
Hard to believe it.. Another year has come and gone.. As we wrap up into the break here is a look at some of the songs that are working, Developing and Growing.. We will be active this week with The Callout America Detail Trend on Wednesday, The Research Letter on Thursday and a fresh sample with The First Look on Friday.. We break for the Holiday And are back on it with a new sample the week of Dec 31.. Have MERRY CHRISTMAS Y’ALL.
This week LEANN RIMES is solid as solid can be with “NOTHIN’ BETTER TO DO” at # 2 overall UP from # 4 last week.. DEMAND remains strong with LeAnn ranking as the # 1 Demand song for the week as 87% of all listeners say they want to hear this song “More” on the Radio.. CORE 35-44 Listeners rank LeAnn at # 1 in the demo and as the # 4 Passion song.. Listeners 25-44 rank this song at # 2 in the demo and # 5 passion.. FEMALES are the strength at # 2 overall and # 4 Passion.. CORE Females are at # 1 in the demo and # 4 passion.. Females 25-44 are at # 2 and # 4 passion.. CORE Males rank LeAnn at # 3 and # 5 Passion.. An 8 to 1 Positive to Negative ratio says the song is more than healthy and will continue to be strong and see growth.. TAYLOR SWIFT stays in POWER with “OUR SONG” the # 2 PASSION song this week.. Taylor the # 1 Passion song with CORE 35-44 listeners.. She is the # 2 Passion song with FEMALES.. The # 1 Passion song with CORE Females.. The # 1 song overall with 35-44 MEN and The # 2 Passion song with CORE Males.. SUGARLAND sees impressive Passion scores with “STAY” the # 3 Passion song overall.. The # 2 Passion song with Listeners 25-34.. The # 3 Passion song with Females.. The # 2 Passion song with MEN.. Sugarland is the # 1 Passion song with Men 25-34.. FAITH HILL continues to outpace the Radio Spin Charts ranking as the # 13 song for the week at R&R Callout America.. UP from # 19.. Faith is the # 15 song with both Male and Females listeners.. The # 11 song with CORE 35-44s.. 25-34 Females rank Faith at # 10.. Male strength is with 35-44s at # 14.. 82% of all listeners say they want to hear this song “More” on Local radio.. BUCKY COVINGTON is showing BIG STRENGTH with CORE Country Radio Listeners. “IT’S GOOD TO BE US” Ranks as the # 5 song overall with CORE 35-44 Listeners.. The # 5 song with CORE Females and the # 9 Song with CORE Males.. The song is very healthy with a 6 to 1 Positive to Negative ratio and 87% of all Listeners, 88% of all Females want to hear the song MORE.. A GOOD THING..
MARK CHESNUTT “ROLLIN’ WITH THE FLOW” which is showing solid traction at an EARLY date.. Mark is the # 12 Passion song this week, his Callout America debut week.. The # 12 Passion song with Females and the # 11 Passion song with Males..
A TRIBUTE TO MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM NASHVILLE December 20th-23rd, 2007 World Wide Travel Center (WWTC) and Mark Dreyer Productions join forces with MilitaryConnection.com to pay respect with a gift to our Military & Their Families.
Fifty-thousand (50,000) 3 day/2 night lodging vouchers, provided by WWTC, will be given away to benefit military families. . Those who are eligible for the free vouchers include all Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, Veterans & their families as well as Gold Star Families, Blue Star Families and Families of the Fallen. Civilians will be able to participate in “The Weekend Travel Vouchers” with a donation of $5 or more, a portion of the proceeds to benefit military families.
Travlin' Music Television (TMT) in cooperation with RadioActive Promotions will be providing entertainment from 3-7pm on Dec. 20th-23rd, 2007. TMT will be filming "selected" military families who are offering video greetings from Nashville. The video greetings will be posted on MaxMouth (www.maxmouth.com) for soldiers and the public to view world wide with 24/7 access. MaxMouth is "THE" premier Socially Fueled Broadband Entertainment Network.
IN THE PIPELINE
GAC STUFF GAC News Brief: GAC Launches “12 6 Strings of Christmas” Three-day Sweepstakes ‘Tis the season for giving and on Monday, Dec. 17, Great American Country (GAC) will launch “12 6 Strings of Christmas,” a three-day, primetime sweepstakes giveaway of 12 six-stringed Copley guitars autographed by some of country music’s hottest acts including Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire and more.
Each night on Dec. 17, 18, and 19 during the hours of 7-11 pm ET, viewers can respond to the on-screen prompt containing a 1-800 number for their chance to be the 50th caller and win an individually autographed Copley guitar. Every night yields four chances but the only way to win is by watching the network!
For more information, including complete rules for GAC’s “12 6 Strings of Christmas” sweepstakes visit GACTV.com.
DAILY PROGRAMMING UPDATES
Tuesday, December 18 GAC Master Series Host Bill Cody covers the Music City Walk of Fame induction Ceremony in which Buddy Killen, Jimi Hendrix, Barbara Mandrell, Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, and Bob DiPiero were honored with sidewalk plaques along Nashville’s Music Mile. Bill shows clips from his interviews with each of the inductees or their representatives, as well as clips from all the speeches on that momentous day. (10 a.m. and 3 p.m.)
Trace Adkins, George Jones and Dierks Bentley headline tonight’s encore performance of GAC’s Opry Live. (8 p.m. and Midnight)
GAC presents Holiday Notes from Home, a special program captured live at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House. Call it a musical love letter to our men and women in the Armed Forces. Produced by the Air Force Reserve, Holiday Notes From Home will also be broadcast to the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen serving our country around the world. This holiday salute to the troops celebrates the spirit of the season with performances by Lonestar, Aaron Neville, and gospel/pop group Take 6. They are accompanied by The Band of the United States Air Force Reserve and the Air Force Strings. Join Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase as they host this unique evening of holiday music. (9 p.m. / 1 a.m. Wed.)
Suzanne Alexander catches up with Toby Keith in Hartford, Conn., one of the last stops on Toby’s Big Dog Daddy tour. Toby talks about his latest CD (Big Dog Daddy), his newly released Christmas CD, Classic Christmas, as well as being an executive at his own label, his early days in the oil fields, his work/support for the military, and a little bit about his "Beer For My Horses" movie that is in development.[Part 2 of 2] (10 p.m. / 2 a.m. Tue ET)
Wednesday, December 19 Ralph Emery possesses one of the most recognizable voices in the country music business. The longtime radio and television personality was recently honored With membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame. On today’s GAC Master Series, host Bill Cody has exclusive coverage of the Medallion Ceremony for Emery, as both legendary and contemporary artists pay tribute to Ralph from the Red Carpet as well as from the stage of the Ceremony itself. Bill will also feature clips from Ralph’s acceptance and from his exclusive sit down interview after the event. (10 a.m. and 3 p.m.)
Trace Adkins: American Man is an hour long concert special that presents a free-wheeling Trace Adkins doing what he does best: singing his songs of love, lust and trouble and speaking his mind on a wide range of subjects that make him tick. Come ride along in Trace's pick-up as he talks about his childhood, his troubles with the law, and his love for barber shops. Then sit back and enjoy a beautifully filmed concert, shot in an old woolen mill and featuring some of Trace's biggest hits plus new songs from his upcoming album. Trace Adkins: American Man is a special that no Trace fan can miss, a totally unique look at one of the best singers and most controversial and entertaining personas in country music today. (8 p.m. and Midnight)
On GAC’s The Collection, host Storme Warren spends the hour with Brooks & Dunn swapping stories and tracing back through their video career, reminiscing about the early video shoots and the latest releases. See which shoots were memorable to Kix and Ronnie. (9 p.m. / 1 a.m. Thur.)
GAC’s Suzanne Alexander welcomes special guest Lonestar to GAC Nights. It's the holiday season and Lonestar is here to perform a few songs from the band’s new Christmas Album, My Christmas List. Plus, Suzanne will catch up with the guys to find out all the new album info, new lead singer and so much more! Happy Holidays from GAC Nights. (10 p.m. / 2 a.m. Thur.)
At GACTV.com This Week: As we prepare to unveil the Top 50 Videos of 2007, GACTV.com takes a look back at the previous three years and the fan-favorite videos that made it to the top.
GAC Top 20 Country Countdown #20 Eagles "How Long" #19 LeAnn Rimes "Nothin' Better To Do" #18 Blake Shelton "The More I Drink" #17 Clay Walker "Fall" #16 Jason Aldean "Laughed Until We Cried" #15 Bucky Covington "It's Good To Be Us" #14 Sara Evans "As If" #13 Rascal Flatts "Take Me There" #12 Brad Paisley "Letter To Me" #11 Josh Turner "Firecracker" #10 Toby Keith "Love Me If You Can" #9 Kenny Chesney "Don't Blink" #8 BonJovi featuring LeAnn Rimes "Til We Ain't Strangers Anymore" #7 Garth Brooks "More Than A Memory" #6 Gary Allan "Watching Airplanes" #5 Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson "Because Of You" #4 Taylor Swift "Our Song" #3 Carrie Underwood "So Small" #2 Sugarland "Stay" #1 Trace Adkins "I Got My Game On"
ADDS Garth Brooks Workin' For A Livin' Alison Krauss Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved Emerson Drive You Still Own Me
Brooks & Dunn God Must Be Busy Faith Hill Red Umbrella
Turbo Track Garth Brooks Workin' For A Livin' Power Clay Walker Fall Power Sugarland Stay Power Kenny Chesney Don't Blink Power Taylor Swift Our Song Power Josh Turner Firecracker Power Rascal Flatts Take Me There Power Keith Urban Everybody Power Carrie Underwood So Small Power Brad Paisley Letter To Me Power Gary Allan Watching Airplanes Power Montgomery Gentry What Do Ya Think About That Medium Garth Brooks More Than A Memory Medium Chuck Wicks Stealing Cinderella Medium Bucky Covington It's Good To Be Us Medium The Eagles How Long Medium Dwight Yoakam Close Up The Honky Tonks Medium Bon Jovi Til We Ain't Strangers Anymor Medium Sara Evans As If Medium Kenny Chesney Shiftwork Medium Jason Aldean Laughed Until We Cried Medium Craig Morgan International Harvester Medium Brooks & Dunn God Must Be Busy Medium Faith Hill Red Umbrella Light Blake Shelton The More I Drink Light Eric Church Lightning Light Dolly Parton Better Get To Livin' Light Martina McBride For These Times Light Gretchen Wilson You Don't Have To Go Home Light Trace Adkins I Got My Game On Light Van Zant Goes Down Easy Light Clint Black The Strong One Light Tracy Lawrence Til I Was A Daddy Too Light Luke Bryan We Rode In Trucks Light Ashton Shepherd Takin' Off This Pain Light Alison Krauss Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved Light Emerson Drive You Still Own Me
CMT STUFF
COUNTRY MUSIC'S ONLY FAN-VOTED AWARDS 2008 DATE AND LOCATION Country music's biggest stars will once again rock Nashville's Curb Event Center at Belmont University when the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premieres LIVE on Monday, April 14, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CMT and CMT.com. 2008 marks the third time that the CMT show and its live red carpet pre-show will be broadcast from Belmont University. The CMT MUSIC AWARDS remains country music's only fan-voted award show. First round nominees will be announced Feb. 5th.
MORE THAN 4 MILLION VOTES CAST TO DETERMINE WINNER OF CMTS MUSIC CITY MADNESS CMT announced today that more than four million votes were cast at CMT.com to crown 13-year-old Katelyn Jolleys This Game the winner of MUSIC CITY MADNESS 2, the networks second annual user-generated talent search. The Utah native is a self-taught musician, who only began playing the guitar in January. This years runner-up was Macy VanArnam, a 16-year-old from New York. Katelyns future in country music is bright, and her outstanding performance in this contest really speaks to its authenticity, said Lewis Bogach, vice president, programming, CMT. The audience chose talent over production. Katelyn also proved the power of Internet marketing, and generated hundreds and hundreds of thousands of votes, literally. As the winner, Jolley will receive an all-expenses paid trip to CMTs Nashville studio to record an episode of UNPLUGGED AT STUDIO 330, CMT.coms online performance series, and a private audition with Sony BMG Nashvilles A&R department.
CMT CROSSROADS: ROBERT PLANT AND ALISON KRAUSSTO PREMIERE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2008 Led Zeppelin front-man and legendary rocker, Robert Plant, and bluegrass superstar Alison Krauss share the stage performing their own classics as well as songs from their new album, Raising Sand in the next all-new episode of CMT CROSSROADS: ROBERT PLANT AND ALISON KRAUSS premiering Monday, February 11 at 8:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m., ET/PT. Plant and Krauss were recently nominated for a GRAMMY in the category of Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for the song "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" from the album, Raising Sand.
HIGHLIGHTS AND HEADLINES GAC has lots of holiday specials on the books this week. Join all the GAC hosts for their annual gathering and Holiday Wrapping PartyTracy Lawrence presents a Christmas special on GAC Nights, while members of Little Big Town are with the band for the holidays. Plus, see a new episode of The Collection with Trace Adkins, and experience two of the years biggest concert extravaganzas, courtesy of Garth Brooks and Brad Paisleyall this and much more This Week on GAC
COUNTRY ON TOUR
BRAD PAISLEY Bonfires and Amplifiers Tour 2008: Jan. 16 Denver, CO Jan. 17 Casper, WY Jan. 18 Billings, MT Jan. 19 Missoula, MT Jan. 23 Boise, ID Jan. 24 Salt Lake City, UT Jan. 26 Las Vegas, NV Jan. 27 TBD Jan. 31 Memphis, TN Feb. 1 Knoxville, TN Feb. 2 Macon, GA Feb. 15 Nashville, TN Feb. 16 TBD Feb. 21 Green Bay, WI Feb. 22 Peoria, IL Feb. 23 TBD
2008 TRACE ADKINS American Man Tour will go on sale in select cities on Friday, December 7. Upcoming 2008 Tour Dates include: Jan. 24 Bangor, ME (Luke Bryan) Jan. 25 Lewiston, ME (Luke Bryan) Jan. 26 Atlantic City, NJ (Luke Bryan; on sale now) Jan. 27 Hershey, PA (Luke Bryan /on sale 12/14) Jan 31 Lowell, MA (Bucky Covington /on sale 12/14) Feb. 1 Johnstown, PA (Bucky Covington) Feb. 7 Sioux City, IA (Luke Bryan) Feb. 8 Bloomington, IL (Luke Bryan) Feb. 9 Lincoln, NE (Luke Bryan) Feb. 14 Saginaw, MI (Kellie Pickler) Feb. 15 Toledo, OH (Jason Michael Carroll) Feb. 16 La Crosse, WI (Jason Michael Carroll) Feb. 17 Grand Forks, ND (Jason Michael Carroll) Feb 21 Chattanooga, TN (Jason Michael Carroll) Feb. 22 Charleston, SC (Jason Michael Carroll) Feb. 23 Asheville, NC (Jason Michael Carroll) Feb. 24 Aiken, SC (Jason Michael Carroll) Mar. 6 Columbus, GA Mar. 7 Plant City, FL (on sale now) Mar. 8 Pompano, FL Mar. 13 Salisbury, MD (Bill Engvall) Mar. 14 Albany, NY (Bill Engvall / on sale 12/14) Mar. 15 Wheeling, WV (Bill Engvall) Mar. 16 Fairfax, VA (Bill Engvall)
OAKRIDGE BOYS Dec. 18 Richardson, TX Eisemann Center Dec. 20-21 Lake Charles, LA L'Auberge du Lac Casino Dec. 22 Robinsonville, MS Goldstrike Casino
GEORGE STRAIT ON TOUR IN 2008 DATE 19-Jan Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum (Tampa Bay Arena) 24-Jan Jacksonville, FL Veterans Memorial 25-Jan Columbia, SC Colonial Center 26-Jan Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena 31-Jan Sacramento, CA ARCO Arena 1-Feb Fresno, CA Save Mart Center at Fresno State 2-Feb Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand, Garden Arena 15-Feb Charleston, WV Charleston Civic Center 16-Feb Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center 28-Feb Richmond, VA Richmond Coliseum 29-Feb Lexington, KY Rupp Arena 1-Mar Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena 6-Mar Albuquerque, NM University Arena (The Pit) 7-Mar Lubbock, TX United Spirit Arena
Richie McDonald Christmas Tour w/Jim Brickman Dec 18 Melbourne, FL King Center Dec 19 Ft Myers, FL Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Dec 20 Jacksonville, FL Florida Theatre Dec 21 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall Dec 22 Providence, RI Providence Performing Arts Center Dec 23 Manchester, NH Palace Theatre Dec 26 Grand Rapids, MI DeVos Performance Hall Dec 27 Ft Wayne, IN Embassy Theatre Dec 28 Erie, PA Warner Theatre Dec 29 Lexington, KY Singletary Center Dec 30 Canton, OH Palace Theatre Dec 31 Toledo, OH Stranahan Theatre
COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME® AND MUSEUM EVENTS THROUGH JANUARY 6, 2008
*All events are included with Museum admission (FREE for Museum members), except as noted
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 School Choir Performance: Sound Effects, H.B. Williams Elementary School 11:00 a.m. (FREE)
Friday, December 21, 2007 School Orchestra Performance: The Suzuki Players, Cumberland Arts Academy 11:00 a.m. (FREE)
Saturday, December 22, 2007 Songwriter Session w/ Byron Hill and Phillip White Noon
Sunday, December 23, 2007 Steel Guitar Demonstration w/ Chris Scruggs 1:00 p.m. Film Loop: Johnny Cash Christmas Show (1977) All Day (FREE)
Saturday, December 29, 2007 Songwriter Session w/ Jerry Vandiver Noon
Saturday, January 5, 2008 Songwriter Session w/ Dave Gibson and Daisy Dern Noon Book Signing w/ Joe Moscheo (The Gospel Side of Elvis) 1:00 p.m. (FREE)
Sunday, January 6, 2008 Fiddle and Guitar Demonstration w/ Hoot Hester and Tim May 1:00 p.m.
The Country Music Hall of Fame ® and Museum tells the story of one of the world’s most popular art forms. Here, the music and its makers speak through timeless art, the latest interactive exhibits and live performances. Visitors may also dine at SoBro Grill, located in the conservatory, which offers a wide variety of contemporary southern cuisine.
The Museum is located at 222 Fifth Ave. S. in downtown Nashville, and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. The Museum Store is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily and the SoBro Grill is open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. A snack bar, Sobro2Go, is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Please note that the Museum and all of its amenities are closed on Tuesdays in January and February.
Admission is $17.95 for adults, $9.95 for children ages six to 17, and free for children under six. The Museum offers discounted admission ($15.95) to seniors (50 and older), the military and students (with valid IDs). Group rates are available for tours of 15 or more. There is no charge to visit the Curb Conservatory or the Museum Store.
Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame ® and Museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The Foundation also operates CMF Records, the Museum’s Frist Library and Archive, the CMF Press, historic RCA Studio B, and Hatch Show Print.
More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame ® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.com or by calling (615) 416-2001.
NASHVILLE IQ 
